Glen Burnie Driver Charged With Manslaughter In Fatal Crash

GLEN BURNIE, MD — A Glen Burnie man is charged with drug trafficking and manslaughter after he reportedly caused a crash that killed an elderly Brooklyn Park woman on Aug. 22, according to Anne Arundel County Police. The driver of the speeding Acura — Maurice Purnell Dorsey, 36, of the 8000 block of Solley Road — reportedly sped away when police tried to stop his car and ran from the accident scene; drugs were found in the car.

On Friday, police located and arrested Dorsey without incident. He was charged with grossly negligent manslaughter, criminally negligent manslaughter, possession with intent to distribute CDS and second-degree assault.

A patrol officer saw a 2016 Acura TLX traveling on Fourth Street when the driver, identified Friday as Dorsey, failed to stop for the stop sign at Fourth Street and Edison Street. The vehicle continued on Edison Street faster than the posted speed limit. Officers tried to stop the vehicle at Edison Street and Second Street, but police say Dorsey sped away, failing to yield to the officer’s lights and siren.

Officers lost sight of the Acura as it crossed over Ritchie Highway and continued to accelerate south onto Morgan Road. As officers reached the area of Morgan Road and 15th Avenue they saw the Acura had struck another vehicle and Dorsey ran from the accident scene. Several officers, including canine and police aviation units, searched the area, but were unable to locate the Acura's driver. The car is owned by Sha’nika Shantrice Miller of Glen Burnie, officials say.

Investigators say the Acura crossed the double yellow center line to pass another vehicle and struck a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt which was attempting to turn right from 16th Avenue onto Morgan Road. The driver and passenger of the Cobalt were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma with serious injuries.

The passenger of the Cobalt — Helen Marguerite Kotchen, 90, of Brooklyn Park — later died as a result of her injuries and her body was taken to the medical examiner's office in Baltimore for an autopsy. The Cobalt's driver, Stephen John Kotchen Jr., 57, of Brooklyn Park, was treated at the hospital, police said.

Inside the Acura police reportedly found about 15.89 grams of suspected crack cocaine and $750 in cash.

Photo of Maurice Dorsey, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police